DraftKings Inc. and Levy announced that the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field will open its doors to the public on June 27, 2023, with food and drink service.
In September 2020, DraftKings and the Chicago Cubs first announced an agreement to bring an entertainment destination to Wrigley Field. The marketing deal included plans for a retail sportsbook, pending licensure and regulatory approval from the Illinois Gaming Board, as well as DraftKings’ designation as the team’s exclusive sports betting operator and daily fantasy partner. Wrigley Field hospitality partner Levy was tapped to be the food and beverage operator for the facility and Marquee Development was selected as the real estate developer on behalf of the Cubs and DraftKings.
The development opens with a focus on optimized design for the enjoyment of both sports viewing and elevated fan favorites and an extensive beverage program.
Located at the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue and adjacent to Wrigley Field, the year-round destination will first open as a state-of-the-art sports bar and restaurant, with plans for DraftKings to later add retail sports betting, pending licensure and regulatory approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.
“Today marks a significant milestone in this multi-year project and it represents the shared vision and longstanding relationship DraftKings has established with the Chicago Cubs,” said Michael Kibort, Senior Director, Retail Sportsbook at DraftKings in a statement. “Fans will soon be able to experience the commitment both organizations have in creating unforgettable and authentic moments around sports.”
The menu features American bar fare with elevated and unique twists on gameday menu items, crafted by Levy, the Cubs’ hospitality partner at Wrigley Field.
“From the ballpark and rooftops to Gallagher Way and now the DraftKings Sportsbook, there are so many ways for fans to experience world-class hospitality at Wrigley Field,” said Jeff Denlea, Vice President of Hospitality Strategy for Levy at Wrigley Field. “We’re excited for this new space to capture the energy and excitement of a visit to the ballpark, with a hospitality experience all its own, crafted around all of the ways fans enjoy the action together.”
The culinary experience at the DraftKings Sportsbook, crafted by the Wrigley Field culinary team led by Senior Executive Chef David Burns, features bar food, shareable plates and ballpark-inspired fare. Dishes will include:
- House Smoked Pastrami Sandwich: House Smoked Pastrami, Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, Louis Dressing, Toasted Caraway Rye Bread
- Colossal Hot Dog: ½ lb. Charred Dog, Caramelized Onions, Spicy Mustard, New England Bun
- Prime Rib Sandwich: Smoked Angus Prime Rib, White Cheddar, Crispy Onions, Horseradish Cream, Beef Au Jus
The beverage program will be anchored by a variety of domestic and international beers, with 10 signature selections on tap, as well as a full selection of spirits, and curated list of wines and signature libations.
The design of the DraftKings Sportsbook, which came from global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler, honors the historic presence of Wrigley Field. The two-story venue features a 2,000-square-foot video screen – one of the largest in the Midwest – that can show up to 25 sports games at once. A scrolling ticker displaying odds, scores and player information coupled with a state-of-the-art sound system will ensure that fans won’t miss a moment of the action. Guests also will have the ability to listen to audio of any game being shown through an app on their smartphone.
Guests can enjoy a variety of different seating options throughout the more than 17,000-square-foot space, ranging from traditional tables and bar stools at the Jim Beam Bar, to plush booths, drink rail seats and semi-private spaces designed to fit groups of up to 25.
The bar seats have optimal viewing of the monumental video wall, while the dining area features a variety of table sizes for gatherings over dinner. The first level banquettes with their associated drink rails create a stepped, theatre-style view of the screens, and the mezzanine offers opportunity for groups to claim their seat and enjoy the action.
Additional theatre-style seating is included on the mezzanine with individual feature-chairs and their personal drink tables, inviting patrons to relax and stay awhile. Two larger, semi-private areas can be rented out by groups with operable drapery to either enclose each space or be opened to create one event space. Each of these areas include reconfigurable furniture, dedicated televisions, and space for personal buffet food service, allowing parties to be surrounded by the energy of the DraftKings Sportsbook experience.
Given Wrigley Field’s designation as a National Historic Landmark, as well as a Chicago Landmark, the project team worked closely with the National Park Service, State Historic Preservation Office and the Commission on Chicago Landmarks to design a contemporary structure that followed historic guidelines. The exterior of the building pays homage to the ballpark’s classic green steel elements that help define its iconic aesthetic. A substantial portion of the facade features glass, which creates an airy feel and allows for unobstructed views into and outside the venue.
Construction, which began in March 2022 and took 14 months to complete, was executed in partnership between Pepper Construction and Marquee Development. The project team was rounded out by McCann Systems (Audio/Visual) and TriMark USA (Food Service Design).
The DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field is located at 1012 W. Addison St. and will be open Monday through Thursday from 4-11 p.m.; Friday from 9-2 a.m.; Saturday from 9-2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and is subject to change based on event programming around the Wrigley Field campus.
All guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter the DraftKings Sportsbook and no entry is permitted from inside Wrigley Field.
